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Shane van Gisbergen receives gift from LA Rams players Demarcus Robinson, Steve Avila

JHby: Jonathan Howard03/02/24Jondean25
Shane van Gisbergen
David TuckerNews-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ahead of The LiUNA! at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Shane van Gisbergen received a special gift. LA Rams players Demarcus Robinson and Steve Avila are in Vegas to watch some racing.

Shane van Gisbergen is a three-time Supercars champion, but just a rookie in the Xfinity Series. Maybe he chatted it up with Avila who just completed his rookie season in the NFL this past year for the Rams.

Or perhaps he got some pointers on American life and competing at a high level from Super Bowl champion Demarcus Robinson? It looks like the three had a good time talking, and it was probably nice that SVG didn’t have to look up at them like most drivers.

The two LA Rams players gifted SVG with a custom hoodie or sweatshirt of some kind that looks really cool.

Avila and Robinson went around and met a few drivers. Among them was Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney. Shane van Gisbergen is going to be a popular guy this year. He’s interesting, talented, and he could be the biggest story in NASCAR very soon.

SVG will have to climb his way through the field in Las Vegas. To begin his rookie season he has had a hot start. So, what will van Gisbergen have to do today to pick up another solid finish?

Shane van Gisbergen starting P25 at Las Vegas

Luck wasn’t on SVG’s side in qualifying yesterday. Las Vegas is a much different track from Daytona and Atlanta. He is going to have to learn the best line for this track, learn how to race up and down the various grooves, and do it all on the fly.

Starting P25, Shane van Gisbergen has a lot of time to learn and move up through the field. This is going to be his first big test in NASCAR. You can almost run wide open at Vegas, but not quite. If we see a top-15 finish from the Kiwi tonight, it will be well-earned.

From Supercars to winning his first Cup Series start to being a rookie in the Xfinity Series – it’s a whirlwind. SVG blew up on the NASCAR scene and has been on a fast track for a full-time Cup Series seat very soon.

All eyes will be on Shane van Gisbergen in his first “traditional” NASCAR oval. If he succeeds here like he did last week on his way to his first top-three finish in the Xfinity Series, then this sport could be in trouble.